Collision Force

by C. A. Szarek

  He sensed more than saw her come to stand next to him, and Cole glanced at her. Andi’s expression was pained. His heart ached. What was up? It didn’t matter, he wanted to comfort her, but thought better of touching her, though she was not standing as close now as she had been in the closet.

  “His name was Iain, and the picture was taken the day I made Detective.”

  “Was?” Cole probably shouldn’t have immediately zoned in on that part of her statement, but it was out of his mouth before he had paused to think.

  “He was killed in the line of duty three years ago.” Her voice trembled.

  Cole wanted to throw his arm around her shoulders, but didn’t.

  There was a wedding picture of the two of them not far from the picture she’d just discussed. Why that one hadn’t caught his eye first was a mystery, because Andi was radiant, more beautiful than he’d ever seen her, as she and Iain gazed at each other in the picture.

  “I’m sorry, Andi.”

  Shrugging, she turned away from him. “Three years…is a long time,” Andi whispered, her back to him.

  Like she was trying to convince herself. He wasn’t about to contradict her, but what could he say, anyway?

  She cleared her throat. “I do have a guest room, but it’s being used for storage right now, so it’s a mess. The bed in there isn’t even made up. I’m sorry.”

  “The couch is fine,” Cole said.

  “Let me get some blankets for you.” Andi disappeared down the hall before he could answer her.

  Wife and mother was a new side to her. Of course she had a life outside her job, but her boss had praised her so highly, telling him she was very involved in her career. He’d never imagined she was married—or had been—and was a mother.

  His attraction to her didn’t diminish—he was glad she was available. But was she seeing someone? What the hell was wrong with him?

  Cole needed to be focused on work, on his case, not on Detective Andi MacLaren—at least not how he’d like to be focused on her. Her naked beneath him was more like it. No. It couldn’t happen. Even if she could halfway stand him—which she couldn’t—nothing could happen between them.

  “Here you go, Agent Lucas,” Andi said, plopping a few blankets and a pillow down on her brown couch. She looked so damn good in those jeans he wanted to change his mind…again. Being between the sheets with her might be worth it.

  “Cole. Please call me Cole. I know we got off on the wrong foot and continued down that path, but, again, I want to apologise.”

  “Goodnight, Cole.” Obviously, she didn’t want to talk to him about anything, let alone his overdue apology.

  “So, that’s it? You’re not going to accept my apology?”

  “Not tonight. I’m tired, and we have a long day tomorrow.” She turned to go.

  “Andi, wait.” Why was he calling her back? He could respect that she was still upset with him—she had every right to be. He’d gone a bit overboard with some of the things he’d said.

  Keeping Cass’ phone call from her had been unnecessary from the start. He hadn’t needed to carry it on in the car after they’d left the warehouse. It’d only served to get her so pissed off at him she’d barely uttered a word all day. So much for getting somewhere on the case.

  Andi glanced over her shoulder and Cole grabbed her wrist. He yanked her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.

  He hadn’t intended to kiss her but as her soft, warm lips caressed his, Cole couldn’t have changed his mind even if he’d wanted to. Her curves hit his chest with enough impact that should have jarred him back into his head, but he was lost and overheated immediately. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and kissed her harder.

  She fought him, but his mouth was demanding over hers, and Andi opened for him, melting against him, surrendering to him. She slipped her arms around his neck and Cole bit back a groan. Her taste, sweeter than he’d imagined, was like ripe berries. He needed more.

  Andi whimpered against his mouth, her tongue dancing with his. His cock stood at attention, straining against his zipper. He moaned as her body melded to his, breasts to chest, hips to hips. Cole had to have her.

  As he walked them back towards the couch, she pushed hard against his chest, breaking the kiss and shoving him away from her. They both panted hard.

  “Don’t…don’t ever do that…again,” she stammered, the gorgeous swell of her breasts lifting and pulling her shirt taut as her chest heaved. He could see peaked nipples. His erection throbbed and he struggled for coherent thought.

  Cole dragged his gaze to her face. Blue eyes wide, cheeks rosy, freckles noticeable, her lips swollen from his. Though she’d been appealing before, how she stood before him now blew that out of the water. She was gorgeous.

  He needed to say something. Anything. Apologise? He wasn’t sorry in the least. Speechless just about covered it.

  She trembled and rubbed her arm. It took all he was made of not to pull her back to him and kiss her again.

  There was no chance to answer. Andi turned on her heel and fled down the hall, slipping into the room farthest away from the living room. She didn’t even pause to look at him as she slammed the door.

  He winced. What the hell should he make of what had happened? He stared down the hallway for a moment, his heart pounding. Never in his life, not even when he was a teenager, had one kiss stirred him to the point that Andi’s had. Then she’d run from him. His body shook with unfulfilled need.

  Cole couldn’t blame her, really. No way should he have given in to the urge to kiss her. But he had the sinking suspicion he would have to do it again—and more. He wouldn’t be able not to. And hell, she’d kissed him back.

  The voice of reason chided that he didn’t get involved with women he worked with, but his cock certainly disagreed. He ignored them both and dragged his hand over his face. The morning would bring complications.

  Cole sighed and glanced at the couch. It looked comfortable, but would he be able to sleep?

  Chapter Five

  Cole jolted awake. Where the hell was he? He swallowed a yawn and blinked. What time was it?

  He looked to his left, finding a pair of very blue eyes staring at him. The little boy cocked his head to one side, as if assessing him. The eyes before him were familiar—Andi’s eyes.

  Sitting up, he glanced over the small kid. The red hair was full of curls. A smattering of freckles covered his cheeks, also like Andi’s. He was cute.

  Cole adored his sister’s two girls. They were seven and nine, although this boy couldn’t be more than three or four.

  “Hi,” he said softly. The little boy smiled at him, then tentatively reached out and touched his arm.

  Glancing around, Cole didn’t spot Andi, so he looked back at the kid. He was dressed in light blue pyjamas with police cars, German Shepherds and flashlights printed on them. Cole smiled back.

  “What’s your name?” Andi’s son asked.

  “Cole. What’s yours?” She’d told him his name when she’d mentioned him last night, but it didn’t come to mind.

  “Ethan. I’m three.” He held up his little hand, three fingers proudly presented, and Cole smiled again.

  He reached his hand out for a proper handshake, his smile becoming a grin when Ethan slid his tiny hand into Cole’s.

  “Ethan!” Andi called, her voice shrill. Her son jumped. His big blue eyes were as wide as saucers as she entered the room.

  Cole stared, frowning. Her tone suggested she didn’t want him talking to her kid.

  “Mama?” the little boy asked. He shifted on his bare feet.

  Andi’s chest heaved as if she’d taken a deep breath. “Go get dressed, buddy,” she admonished in a normal tone of voice.

  Ethan grinned and nodded, then dashed down the hall.

  “Cute PJs,” Cole said, after Andi had murmured a somewhat polite morning greeting. He looked her up and down, remembering the feel of her in his arms. Her face reddened, but she remained quiet, avoidin
g his gaze.

  “Thanks. My mom made them,” she said after clearing her throat.

  Made what? Oh, pyjamas. He’d complimented the kid’s sleepwear. Right.

  Andi was so put together already, and it wasn’t even seven in the morning. He’d give just about anything to see her flushed and pink, her hair messed up again, especially if he was the cause.

  “Coffee’s almost done brewing.” Her tone was tight, telling him she had no desire for small talk. Cole had got to her. He bit back a smartass grin. It would only tick her off.

  Andi faced the kitchen without waiting for his answer.

  “He can actually dress himself?” he asked.

  Andi’s shoulders stiffened. “Yes.”

  Damn. He’d not meant to upset her. Why did she take everything he said as an insult?

  Andi needed to check on her son. Ethan had been in his room too long, and it was already six forty-five—she’d left Cole about twenty minutes ago. Ethan had been very proud of himself lately. Each night, he and Andi would pick out his clothes and lay them out, and Ethan would dress in the morning without her watching. She always made sure he’d done a proper job, of course, but even she basked in her son’s sense of accomplishment.

  She shut off the burner she’d been scrambling eggs on and covered the frying pan to keep them warm. Andi took a sip of coffee and set it on the kitchen island before heading back into the living room with a sigh, praying she could hold onto her sanity.

  Cole would probably want to talk about what had happened last night, but she didn’t. She just wanted to forget it. She promptly banished all memories of his lips on hers and the sudden tremble that had slid down her spine. She ignored her traitorous body. Andi hadn’t felt that way in—well, never, really. Not even Iain had melted her with one kiss.

  Iain. His smiling face popped into her head and she was rushed with guilt, just as she had been last night. Damn Cole.

  Her heart stopped at the sight of Ethan on Cole Lucas’ lap. He was tying her son’s shoes. As if it was the most natural thing in the world. She wanted to protest, but her voice abandoned her.

  When she’d seen the FBI agent and the little boy shake hands earlier, her heart had skipped a beat she didn’t quite understand—or have the desire to acknowledge.

  Cole Lucas couldn’t possibly be good with children. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t even like kids. Somehow it was just…wrong. He was a first class jerk. She suppressed a growl and stepped into the room.

  Two sets of eyes, one deep blue and the other steel grey, met hers at the same time. They both smiled at her, Ethan flashing a brilliant grin, Cole’s a bit tentative. She berated herself because she liked how her son looked in Cole’s arms, just as she had liked being there herself.

  Her gaze locked with his. Andi was frozen for a moment until Ethan’s voice broke the spell.

  “Cole helped me, Mama.” His statement kicked her into mommy-mode.

  Good. It was what she needed. She couldn’t meet Cole’s eyes again.

  “I see that. Did you say thanks?”

  Ethan looked at Cole, then back at her. “Thanks, Cole!” he said obediently, and scrambled off the FBI agent’s lap.

  “No problem, kiddo.” Cole ruffled her son’s copper curls and Ethan giggled.

  Andi’s heart stuttered. “Are you guys hungry?” she forced out.

  “Yeah!”

  “Famished,” Cole said, speaking at the same time as Ethan’s exclamation.

  Andi focused on her son, looking away from Cole’s grey eyes and dimples. “I made scrambled eggs, bacon and toast,” she told Ethan, who beamed and skipped towards the kitchen.

  “Thanks, Andi,” Cole said, walking beside her.

  She acknowledged him with a nod. “Thank you for helping my son.”

  “I didn’t mind in the least. He’s a cute kid.”

  “Thanks.” She was polite, handing him a mug for coffee after assisting Ethan into his booster seat. “I would have thought you didn’t like kids.”

  “Oh?” Cole asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

  A blush rushed her cheeks. She’d insulted him, but she’d not meant her tone to be snide. “Well…”

  “I’m not that guy, Andi,” Cole said evenly.

  She stared at him, not wanting to admit she knew exactly what he meant. She did think he was that guy.

  “I see no need to discuss it,” she said, concentrating to keep her voice normal. She didn’t want Ethan to know anything was wrong, or for Cole to realise how much he’d flustered her.

  He didn’t answer, just thanked her for the mug and fixed himself some coffee. Andi quickly made plates for all three of them and sat to Ethan’s right at the square table in her breakfast nook. Cole took a seat across from her son. She resisted the urge to scoot her chair farther away from him.

  “I have two nieces,” he said.

  “Oh?” Andi asked, looking pointedly at the food on her plate.

  “They’re seven and nine. My sister’s kids. I don’t get to see them much, but I adore them.”

  “What’s their names?” Ethan asked.

  Andi smiled as he was able to follow the conversation. The little boy looked at Cole before taking a huge bite of toast.

  “Kelsey is nine, and Lacey is seven.”

  “I want to play with them,” Ethan announced.

  Cole laughed out loud. “They live far away, buddy. In Seattle.”

  Unfortunately, her son would have no idea where that was.

  “Oh,” he said, his tone disappointed. “Maybe someday?”

  Cole looked at Andi and she gave a slight shrug.

  “Maybe,” Andi agreed quickly, wiping the crumbs from her son’s mouth gently.

  Ethan made a face, but let her do so. He took a drink of orange juice, and she admonished him to slow down.

  “Good. I like kids,” Ethan said.

  Cole chuckled. “I like kids, too.” He tweaked the little boy’s nose.

  Andi couldn’t look away from him. Cole grinned, dimples flashing, and her face heated. She broke eye contact, cursing herself. Work. Focus on work. “What’s today’s agenda?”

  “I’d like to talk to your partner.”

  She nodded absently, losing her determination again. Cole’s ease with Ethan had her heart needing a cardiologist. Andi reminded herself that she didn’t like Cole Lucas at all, but it wasn’t working. She was seeing a different side of him. It only resulted in chaos and confusion.

  As a matter of fact, nowhere in sight was the pompous ass from the previous days. Could she actually figure him out, perhaps even get to know him? She shook her head. She didn’t want to like him, didn’t need to figure him out and most definitely did not need to get to know him. He wouldn’t be around long enough for it to matter.

  It shouldn’t matter, so it didn’t.

  “Something wrong?” Cole asked, his voice breaking into her thoughts.

  “No…why?” Andi stuttered, her cheeks blazing. There was no way he would miss it.

  Cole gave a slight smile that confirmed her suspicion. “You got awfully quiet.”

  “Mama, okay?” Ethan asked.

  Great. Her three-year-old was much too smart for his own good. He never failed to surprise and impress her with the extent he was able to follow conversations, and of course the ability was at its height when she was embarrassed. “I’m fine,” she told them. Andi forced a smile.

  “I know you like to go in early, but I’d like to shower, if it’s all right with you,” Cole said.

  “Oh, of course. I’m sorry I didn’t offer. Didn’t mean to be rude,” Andi rushed her words. She was a complete heel.

  Cole smiled again, flashing dimples, and Andi’s heart quickened. “No problem.”

  “Towels are in the cupboard behind the door in the guest bathroom. I’m sure you know where that is?” Cole nodded. “Then…we can head out whenever you’re ready.”

  He put his dish in the sink before disappearing around the corner. Andi gu
lped, trying to ignore the picture in her head of him naked in her bathroom. She chastised herself and concentrated on what Ethan was trying to ask her.

  * * * *

  Cole sighed as the hot water ran down his body. It was relief. What the hell was he going to do about Andi? Breakfast had been delicious, and something he hadn’t expected from her. The scrambled eggs and bacon had been the first home-cooked meal he’d had in longer than he could remember. He certainly didn’t deserve it.

  He’d settled on the fact that he owed her another apology, even if he didn’t really regret the kiss he’d stolen. Well, not really stolen. She’d kissed him back, after all.

  If he didn’t try to smooth things out, work today would be a nightmare. They did have a case to solve. Regardless, Andi wouldn’t make it easy, and that lessened his already weak desire to offer the olive branch in the first place.

  He squirted shampoo into his palm then slapped it onto his dark hair, scrubbing vigorously. He suppressed the urge to yawn. No matter how the day went, it would be a long one.

  Cole hadn’t fallen asleep until well past midnight. The taste of Andi’s lips had haunted him. The feel of her full breasts flattened against his chest, her rounded hips against his…the endless cycle in his mind while he stared at the ceiling of her living room.

  When sleep had finally claimed him, he’d dreamt of her. Vivid and erotic. In his dreams, she’d done things to him he would give anything to experience with her in reality.

  He’d awoken after two a.m., painfully uncomfortable, his body so taut he was surprised he hadn’t had a fricking wet dream, as horrible as that would have been. Was he a thirteen-year-old kid?

  The rest of the night, his sleep had been fitful. He’d woken every hour or so, and in worse shape than every previous hour. Damn good thing his body was over the condition by the time Ethan had woken him. But Cole wasn’t cured. He wanted Andi.

  Rinsing his hair, he ran his fingers through it one last time before reaching for his soap. He tried not to think about her and failed miserably. He rubbed his body down, inhaling the pleasant masculine spice of his body wash.